Instructions TITLE: All papers must have a title. LENGTH: The paper must be 4-5 pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font. SOURCES AND CITATIONS: Citations can be either in MLA or Chicago style format. All papers must include a bibliography. No need to include a cover-page. FOR ONE OF THE SOURCES PLEASE USE: ERICA LEE’s “THE CHINESE ARE COMING, HOW CAN WE STOP THEM?” the other two are up to you, but make sure they are peer-review articles. Writing Style Guidelines -Remember to structure your essay with an Introduction, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusion- Introduction -Should have a clear and strong thesis (Thesis should state what you are arguing in the paper. How are you answering the prompt?) The thesis could be a sentence or two. I recommend you start your thesis with “In this paper, I argue/explore that…” State what points you will be making in the paper. For example, you could say that you will be exploring race, class, and gender to interrogate a historical moment and experience. You could answer the prompt however you wish, but make sure to mention whatever points in your intro/thesis. -Intro should be at least 4-5 sentences, but more is alright as well. Body Paragraphs -Every body paragraph should have one point that you are making that supports your thesis. Ask yourself does each paragraph begin with a statement that indicates the main point of that paragraph? That is, does the paragraph begin with a strong topic sentence, or is this prime structural location wasted on plot or some minor observation? Check if the paragraph has structural unity, or does it begin on one note and end on another? Make sure you don’t go on any tangents. It is a good idea to end each paragraph by connecting it back to its topic sentence. Place the burden of transition on the first sentence of the next paragraph. -Make sure the transitions between paragraphs are smooth, or does the focus seem to shift abruptly? Does every paragraph develop the thesis or are there any that seem extraneous? Each paragraph should be a firm link in the chain, building on the previous paragraph. Reread the essay and make sure all points connect back to the argument you make in the thesis. -Body Paragraphs should be at least 5-7 sentences each, but more is also great. Conclusion In the conclusion summarize the complete argument and tie the paper together. Do not introduce any new points in this paragraph. Ideally, the conclusion should mirror the introduction as it reiterates the thesis and recalls the milestones of the argument. Quotes -Do not end your paragraphs (intro, body, or conclusion) with unexplained quotes. Have at least a sentence or two (preferably more) after the quote to explaining its significance. -Avoid dropped quotes. Dropped quotes are unintroduced quotes that appear in the middle of your paper. Example of a dropped quote: Holden gets frustrated and decides to leave. “People are always ruining things for you” (Salinger 88). The problem is that the sentence begins and ends with a quotation. Try to add a signal phrase to avoid such a problem: Holden gets frustrated and decides to leave, claiming that “people are always ruining things for you” (Salinger 88). OR Holden gets frustrated and decides to leave. He claims that “people are always ruining things for you” (Salinger 88). Other examples of signal phrases include “states, explains, illustrates, declares, agrees, argues…” for more examples Google signal phrases. -Avoid using too many quotes or using quotes that are too long. Quotes in this kind of essay should not be longer than four lines. Try keeping it to 1-2 quotes per body paragraph.